Welcome to our new children and their families who have joined us this term. Freya McNair, Nico Alexander, Jack Parsons, Nicole Wallace, Amelia Webb Georgia Neill.

Some of our children will be graduating at the end of the term. We have a farewell end mat time for each child where we celebrate their learning and readiness for their school years and beyond. The end of this term we farewell Hazel Herries, Joshua Bowyer, Jesse Russ and Daniel Cheesman. We also farewell Frida Pilditch and family moving to new pastures. We wish you safe travels. Special thanks to these families who have supported Preschool over many years.

Learning at Preschool this MonthThe children are settling back to Preschool and enjoying many new experiences and revisiting some favourites. Activities such as art collage, carpentry, caring for the vegetable and flower gardens, family play, cooking pizza and much more.

Can you help?We would like recycled pieces for our collage table such as old woollen blankets people would like to get rid of? Also does anyone crotchet or knit and be happy to donate a few squares of either? We have some planned learning experiences using these materials for sewing. We would like to know if anyone will be travelling to Whakatane in the next few weeks as we have a water tank to pick up for our Preschool. You will need a trailer. If you may be able to help see the teachers.

Cocktail EveningMark your diaries now for this year’s Lake Okareka Preschool Fundraiser Saturday 22nd March at Preschool. Tickets will soon be available for $50 per person. See Nic Bennett or Karina Bohle.

Recycling Cardboard and PaperWe really appreciate the support from the community to recycle. This not only reduces our carbon footprint, it also helps funds for Preschool.

Special thanks to: Lake Okareka Fire Force for assisting Santa to Preschool for Santa’s visit and the Nativity community evening. Thanks also to Mike and Sandra Goodwin. We appreciate once again their contributions to our Christmas celebrations.

Please let any families with Preschool children know about Lake Okareka Preschool right here in your community.